Stop Online Misinformation: CTRL + ALT + DELA Campaign to Promote Content Integrity in aDigital World. TABLEOF CONTENT 0306141721447093959912345678910Executive SummaryIntroductionMethodologyAnalysis of The Codes of PracticePillar 1: Encouraging Platform Accountability and TransparencyPillar 2: Enhancing Public Digital LiteracyPillar 3: Empowering The Research CommunityConclusionsAppendixBibliography EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The pervasive spread of online misinformation posesa serious threat to informed public discourse, socialtrust, and the functioning of democratic institutionsin the digital era. This document, Codes of Practice toCombat Online Misinformation, presents a structuredandcollaborative framework designed to addressthis challenge through sustained, multi-stakeholderengagement. but also practical for implementation, monitoring,and continuous improvement across diverse digitaland policy environments. TheCodes of Practice are developed as afoundational component of the DCO Campaign StopOnline Misinformation: CTRL + ALT + DEL, which isdesigned to promote content integrity across thedigital world. Recognizingthe limitations of fragmentedresponses, the Codes of Practice draw on thebest global practices to offer actionable guidancebased on three interconnected pillars and theirdimensions (Fig.1). The Campaign invites all stakeholders to becomeactive Pledgers by committing to the Codes ofPractice,taking related measurable actions tocounter online misinformation, tracking progressthroughspecific KPIs,and reporting regularlyontheir efforts. In doing so,they demonstrateleadershipand shared responsibility,setting astandard for others and driving systemic, sustainedimpact in the fight against misinformation. Thefirst pillar promotes accountability andtransparencywithin digital platforms,focusingon the need for oversight of algorithmic systems,contentmoderationpractices,regulatorycompliance,and cross-sector cooperation.Thesecond pillar emphasizes the critical role of publicdigital literacy, seeking to strengthen individuals’abilities to evaluate content, question sources, andnavigate the digital landscape responsibly. The document articulates a clear path forward fordiversekey stakeholders,including government/policymakers, social media platforms, internationalorganizations, regulators, private sector, researchers,civil society organizations, and educational institutions.It outlines specific actions to enhance trust, safeguardthe integrity of information, and foster a healthier andmore inclusive digital environment. The third pillar supports the research communityby facilitating access to platform data, encouraginginterdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring long-term investment in evidence-based solutions. Realizing this vision will depend on the sharedresponsibility of all stakeholders involved and a long-termcommitment to collective implementation,evaluation, and adaptation. A unique feature of the DCO Codes of Practice isthe articulation of core “dimensions” within eachof its three pillars. These dimensions serve asspecific focus areas such as platform accountability,content correction, digital literacy, fact-checking,andresearch capacity that translate high-levelprinciples into concrete, actionable commitmentsfor all stakeholders (Fig. 2). Throughthe DCO Codes of Practice developedspecifically for the “Stop Online Misinformation: CTRL+ ALT + DEL.” Campaign, stakeholders are equippednot only with principles, but also with a pragmaticroadmap and a results-driven pledge system toreducethe harmful effects of misinformationand build a more trustworthy and resilient onlineinformation ecosystem. By systematically defining these dimensions, theCodesprovide clear operational pathways andmeasurablestandards(including commitments,measures, and KPIs) for regulators, platforms, civilsociety, researchers, and policymakers (Fig. 3). Thisstructured approach ensures that the Codes ofPractice are not only comprehensive and adaptable, Introduction Introduction In the digital age, the internet has transformed how societies access information, expressopinions, and engage in democratic processes. While this transformation has expanded thereach of fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and access to information, it has alsofacilitated the rapid and widespread dissemination of misinformation, with serious implicationsfor public understanding, social cohesion, and institutional trust. thatcombating misinformation is a sharedresponsibility. They outline principles to supportcollectiveaction,grounded in the belief thatan informed and resilient public is critical tosustaining democratic discourse and social trustin the digital era. A meaningful response to thesechallenges must go beyond technical fixes andindividual responsibility. Theease of online communication,coupledwith the mechanics of the attention economy,encouragesthe spread of factually incorrect,incomplete, and misleading content over well-researc